Bracelet and method of making the same



P. J. B-ELLAVANCE BRACELET AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAMEy Feb. 15, 1938. 2,108,247

Filed Jan. 28, 1957 4 4- a f gw Il um m Patented Feb. 15, 19 38 rl UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PauLJ. `Bellavance, Attleboro, Mass. Applicatinn January 23, 1937, Sti'lal N9. 122,767

, 4 Claims. (Cl. Z9-160.6)

This invention relates to an improved bracelet Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, partially in 'andmethod of making the same, and more parsection, of a yportion of the operating mechanism ticularly to a bracelet structure in which the of a power press such asmay be employed in atV bracelet parts or sections are provided with contaching the holding members to the bracelet sec- 5 necting means firmly united thereto in anovel tions. and, j f5 manner and so as to form a fixed union of the Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view `through parts. y the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, taken substan- One object of the invention is to provide a tially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

bracelet structure of this character which is ca- VIn the embodiment of the invention illustrated l pable of being readily constructed at a relatively herewith .I designates generally a bracelet struc- 10 small cost, and -one in which the parts are ture, which, as shown, may comprise two sections rmly held in operative relation'with each other lv and 3, although it may be made up of a greater without the use of solder or separate attaching number of sections if desired. y

means. 'Ihe sections 2 and'3 are each suitably curve l Another object of the invention is the provito t substantially the wrist of the wearer and 15 sion of a novel means for securing holding memare formed from channel shaped metal stock or bers to the bracelet sections in such a manner are shaped to provide lateral :flanges 4 located 4 that they may be secured in place readily and upon opposite sides thereof and extending in retained' rmly in position without danger oi be-` wardly from the inner curved surface of the coming loose or detached under ordinary condimember. 20

tions of use. The bracelet sections 2 and 3 may be hingedly A further object of the invention is the proviconnected together by means of a hinge holding sion of a new and improved method for forming member 5 provided with a hinge joint 6 and havdevices of this character by means of simple me` ing plates 'l extending from opposite sides of said readily carried out through easily operated mechwithin the iianges 4. The plates 1 are rmly anisms and without the necessity for specialized secured to the adjacent ends of the bracelet sec- `and time consuming operations. tions by having clamping lugs 8 swaged down I Another object of the invention is the provision from 'the inner surface of the flanges 4 into :zo of novel means for readily securing a holding or clamping engagement with portions of the plate 30 other member in a channel shaped jewelry part 1 to clamp the hinged member rmly in position without the use of separate holding means and ln the bracelet sections.

in such a manner as not to mar the appearance Aholder catch member I0, provided with a porof the' article by th'e presence of unsightly attion il fitting closely within the iianges 4 of. a Vtaching means upon any part of the structure. bracelet' section, is likewise secured to one brace- 35 Other-objects and advantages of theinvention let section by similar clamping lugs 8 swaged f relate to various improved details of construcdown from the ianges 4 into clamping engagetion and novel arrangements of the parts as will ment therewith. The holder catch member Ill be more fully set forth in the detailed description may be provided with an inclined detent I2 or 5 chanical operations which are capable of being' hinge joint of such width as to fit substantially 25 40, to follow, similar part for engagement lwith a portion of 40 Referring to the drawing: another bracelet -section provided by forming a Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an improved recess therein as indicated at I4, the detent I2 bracelet structure made in accordance with my being adapted to enter the recess I4 of the other invention, bracelet section when the parts are closed to pre- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of vent their separation under ordinary conditions 4r, the inner surface of the bracelet shownvin Fig. of wear. A chain I5 or other suitable connector 1, showing the manner of attaching a hinge memmay be attached to the bracelet sections adjacent ber to adjacent bracelet sections, I to the free `ends thereof for limiting the extent of Fig. 3 is a similar view of aholding catch memmovementof the bracelet sections when opened.

ber showing the manner of attaching it to a The hinge members 5 and catch member IIJ are 50 bracelet section as seen from within the bracelet, designated herein generically as holding members Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view since 'they serve to hold the ends, of the bracelet through a portion of a. bracelet section and holdsections in position relative to each other and are ing member, showing the formation of the 'clampsimilarly attached to the bracelet sections. While ing lug and its relation with the parts, the holding members shown in the type of brace- 55 be cut or stamped from flat stock and then treated in a suitable manner, as by means of dies, to obtain the desired curvature and form the let illustratedherein are respectively a hinge and catch member adapted for connecting ends of the bracelet sections together, they may constitute any holding means such as may be employed in connecting the channel shaped section to another portion of a bracelet structure. Although one particular form of catch for uniting the ends of the bracelet sections is shown, any suitable catch structure may be employed for the purpose, it being understood that a portion of the catch element or elements may be adapted to t within the flanges 4 of a bracelet section and be secured thereto by y clamping lugs 8 after the manner described.

In forming the bracelet structure as above described the bracelet sections 2 and 3 may be formed in any suitable or desired manner, as by being out or stamped out from a channel shaped strip of metal stock-and then bent to obtain the desired degree of curvature, or the sections may lateral flanges 4 thereon. In either case the outer surfaces of the br'aceletsections may be given any desired form of ornamentation, by stamping, engraving,4engine turning, or otherwise, either in the form of metal stock prior to cutting and shaping the sections therefrom or at any time during the formation of the bracelet sections, as such,`or after their completion.

The completed bracelet sections 2 and 3 after having been given Athe desired shape for incorporation into a bracelet and ornamented in the manner desired for the formation of the completed article are then secured together by the suitable mechanism, after the manner indicated in Figs. 5 and 6 ofthe drawing. 'I'he mechanism shown therein comprises portionsfof a power press having a supporting plate or bed 20 and a plunger rod 2|, which may be operated by any suitable power means (not shown): The supporting plate or bed 20 may be provided with a curved recess 22 formed in the upper surface thereof for receiving the bracelet sections, which v recess is provided with a fixed wall 23 at one side thereof. A slidable holder member 24 is mounted in the bed 20 and provided with an end portion 25 forming the opposite side wall of the curved recess 22. Spring means 26 are mounted in the bed plate 20 for moving the slidable holder member 24 outwardly from the recess 22 when permitted by the plunger rod 2|, said springs abutting againstsuitable shoulders or supports 28 which may be threaded into the outer ends of the spring receiving channels formed in the slid,

able member 24. The plunger rod 2| is provided with an inclined face 36 adapted to engage anl inclined surface 3| carried by the slidable member 24 when the' plunger rod 2| approaches the limit of its downward movement. The plunger rod 2| is also provided with a former head 33` having a lowerV surface 35 shaped to conform generally with the curve of the bracelet, and a transverse recess 36 formed therein adapted to receive the hinge joint 6. The opposite side faces 36,015 the former head are shaped to t closely within the flanges 4 of a bracelet section and have cutting edges for engagement with the flanges 4 to swage. down there from clamping lugs 8 against. the portions of a holder member fitted therebetween. i

In the operation of this mechanism for forming the bracelet structure as above described, upward movement of the plungerv rod 2| permits outward movement of the slidable member 24 under the influence of the springs 26 thus increasing the leective width of the recess 22 to permit it to receive readily the portions ofl a bracelet section or sections to be operated upon. 'I'he bracelet section or sections with a holding member or members suitably located therein maybe inserted in the recess and the plunger rod operated to move the former head 33 downwardly.

As the plunger rod approaches. the limit of its downward movement the inclined face 30 engages the inclined surface 3| on the slidable member 24 to force the slidable member 24 towards the recess 22 and bring the end portion 25 of the slidable member into close abutting relation with the outer face of one of the anges 4. The plunger rod then completes itsl downward movement bringing the cutting edges 40 downwardly against the anges 4 to cut out and force downwardlythe clamping lugs 8 against those portions ofr the holder member located within and adjacent to the flanges 4. This portion of the oper- 'ation takes place while the'opposite flanges 4 are firmly supported outwardly by the side wall 23 of the recess andthe end portion 25 of the slidlable member, and at the 'same time the inner' sides of the flanges 4 'are supported generally adjacent to'the cutting edges 4|) by the .opposite side faces 38 of the former head. In this way a substantially complete support is provided for the flanges 4 while the cutting edges 40 are operating thereon to prevent any, bending or distortion of Y the flanges during the swaging operation. Upon upward movement of the plunger rod 2|, the slidable member 24 again moves outwardly under ltheinfluence of the springs 26 and the bracelet sections may be removed without the side walls of the recess.

This method of securing parts to the bracelet binding against sections may be followed both in connection'with the attachment of the hinge ,member and catch holder member shown as'well as any other form of reinforcing, attaching or holding member which it may be desired to secure in a bracelet section or jewelry element of the general form and character of thebracelet sections shown.

What I claim is:

. 1. A bracelet structure comprising two or more longitudinally curved sections having lateral flanges inbent from at stock of uniform thickness to form internal channels therebetween..

holding members `connecting adjacent ends of said bracelet sections and each having a portion tting within the internal channel of one of said sections and abutting against the lateral flanges carried thereby, and clamping lugs struck down from said flanges engaging portions of said holding members -for securing each holding member rmly to a bracelet section.

.. 2. The method of forming a bracelet structure which comprises, shaping metal stockA to form a curved section having lateral flanges, ttinga portion of a holding member between the lateral V flanges adjacent to an end portion of said section,

and' striking down portions of the lateral flanges vupon the part of said holding member tted between theflanges to clamp said holding member to said section while supporting the lateral faces of said anges at points adjacent to the struck down portions. v

3. 'I'he method of making a bracelet structure which comprises, forming curved sections having lateral anges extending from one side thereof, tting portions of a holding member between the lateral anges adjacent to certain of the end portions of said sections; and striking down portions oi' the lateral flanges upon the portions of said holding member tted therebetween while providing a support for the outerv faces of the anges to secure said holding member to said sections while at the same time preventing distortion of the anges.

4. The method of forming a bracelet structure or the like which comprises, shaping metal stock to form a section havingupstanding `lateral flanges,4 tting a portion of a member between the lateral flanges, and swaging down portions of the lateral anges upon the part of said member located between the anges to form clamping 4 lugs and secure said member to the section while supporting said lateral flanges both outwardly and inwardly at points adjacent to the clamping lugs during the swaging operation to prevent distortion of the anges during the' formation of the clamping lugs.

PAUL J. BELLAVANCE. 

